The new Knicks point guard, acquired in the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks, was having a strange season in Dallas. He missed six games for what the team initially said was injury- and illness-related, but later turned out to be a reported standoff between the two sides because of trade rumors involving Smith.

New York Knicks' Dennis Smith Jr., right, reacts after the Knicks scored during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)(Photo11: The Associated Press)

Whatever the reason, it was an odd situation for a player who was in the conversation for Rookie of the Year last season and seemed to be part of the Mavs' future.

Now Smith is with the Knicks, embracing a new situation.

"I think that was important for me, with everything that was going on," Smith said after the Knicks' 96-84 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at the Garden. "I heard an opportunity and I knew about [David] Fizdale from the Grizzlies. I was a fan of him. I feel like it’s a big opportunity for me. I’ve just got to make the most of it."

Smith, who scored the Knicks' first field goal, had eight points on 3-of-9 shooting to along with three rebounds and six assists in his debut.

Coach David Fizdale inserted Smith into the starting lineup right away with both Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina out with injuries and Trey Burke shipped off to Dallas.

Fizdale said Smith only knew about three plays.

It might not have even been that much.

"I kind of knew three plays," Smith said. "We didn’t get to practice yet. We haven’t practiced because we were waiting for the trade to finalize. To try and run the show, it was different. It was different. I had a lot of guys trying to help me out, Frank, Mudiay. They were giving me little tips throughout the game on what’s supposed to happen."

Smith threw an alley-oop pass to DeAndre Jordan on one play and drove to the basket before kicking out to Kevin Knox for a three on another.

He picked up a couple quick early fouls, which hurt him.

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"I thought the early foul trouble obviously was tough," Fizdale said. "He came out of the game right away ready to go and looked like he was about to get off to a great start and then he got the early two fouls. I tell you what, he definitely has a gear, a serious speed gear. He sees the floor well. I see a kid that definitely has something that we can develop."

Smith was somewhat familiar with the Knicks before he arrived in the trade after having gotten to know team president Steve Mills during the pre-draft process in 2017 when Mills was the general manager and Phil Jackson was the president.

The Knicks ultimately selected Ntilikina with the eighth pick and the Mavericks selected Smith at No. 9.

Ntilikina had an inconsistent rookie season while Smith was one of the NBA's top rookies.

Now they're both on the same team.

"I’m thankful to be here," Smith said. "I went through the draft process obviously, came up to New York for a little bit. I went out to eat with Steve Mills. We had a really good time. We built a solid relationship from the time that I was here last year, so I’m thankful to be here. It was already written so I’m trying to hit the ground running, compete as hard as I can."